Hans Pischner

Hans Pischner (20 February 1914 – 15 October 2016) was a German harpsichordist, musicologist, opera director, and politician active in the German Democratic Republic. He encouraged the creation of musical and artistic cultural institutions in East Germany, and used his position in the SED to prevent any further brain drain of artists and musicians after the Berlin Wall was constructed by encouraging and supporting the arts. He served as Chairman of the Kulturbund from 1977 until German reunification in 1990.

Awards and honours

 * Patriotic Order of Merit in Gold (1973)
 * National Prize of the German Democratic Republic (1976)
 * Star of People's Friendship in Gold (1979)
 * Order of Karl Marx (1989)
 * Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1999)